Player Profile

Emlyn Walters played for his native Glynneath side in rugby union before moving to Pontypridd where he was appointed captain. Just before World War II, he turned professional with Bradford Northern and ended up playing there for 12 years, scoring 173 tries and 276 matches. He served in the final two years of the war when he was called up to the Royal Navy, serving as a Chief Petty Officer. Whilst with Bradford, he won Championship and Yorkshire League winners medals in 1940 and 1941, Yorkshire Cup winners medals in 1941, 1942 and 1944, and he was also a Challenge Cup winner in 1944 and 1947, the latter at Wembley Stadium. Bradford Northern's home fixture with Dewsbury on Wednesday 12 May 1949 was Emlyn Walters Testimonial match which he shared with Willie Davies, this match was also their great friend and fellow Welshman Frank Whitcombe's last match for Bradford Northern, a crowd of 19,000 attended Odsal to witness the game. He spent two years with Hull FC from 1950-52 before returning to Wales. He died in Cwmgwrach on January 21, 2001 aged 82.